Colonials Clinch Series With Rubber-Match Victory

ARLINGTON, Va. - The George Washington baseball team took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back as the Colonials topped Xavier, 5-3, in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon at Barcroft Park.

GW (20-31, 6-15 A-10) spotted a three-run lead to starter Aaron Weisberg, who earned the win after allowing three earned runs in 5.1 innings of work. Junior Kenny O'Brien clinched his sixth save of the season with 3.2 innings of one-hit relief out of the bullpen.

The Colonials raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, started by a leadoff single from junior Derek Brown. After a walk to senior Ollie Mittag, sophomore Owen Beightol singled to load the bases. Senior Matt Murakami lifted a sacrifice fly to left field for the first run to give GW a 1-0 lead. The Colonials added to the lead on consecutive RBI singles by seniors Jimmy Best and Brett Bowers.

GW extended the lead to 4-0 on a RBI single by Brown in the fourth inning, which scored senior Ryan Thomas, who led-off the inning with a single up the middle.

Weisberg allowed just one hit through his first four innings of work before yielding a run on two hits in the fifth inning. He worked his way out of a one-out jam by inducing a double play to end the frame.

Xavier (26-27, 11-10 A-10) would not go quietly, scoring two runs in the sixth inning and chasing Weisberg from the game. Following a brief appearance by senior Eric Lara, O'Brien entered the game and surrendered a run on a fielder's choice before retiring the side.

Senior Stephen Oswald provided an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh with a towering blast to right center field for his third home run of the season.

O'Brien gave up just one hit and two walks with three strikeouts the rest of the way to earn his team-leading sixth save of the season.

The Colonials will close out their home schedule on Tuesday evening for a special game under the lights at Barcroft Park against William & Mary. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.